Mission to Mars - Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL
July 2, 2002 marked Starlight's launch of "Mission to Mars" as the newest Starlight Site was dedicated at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. Made possible through the generosity of the Marlee Anne Kalmin Foundation, M.A.K.ing Kids Happy, this room transports children from the institutional walls of the hospital environment to one that creates a sense of wonder and escape, a magical haven for children and their families.
Some of the many unique features include a softly rounded and textured red wall, opposing floor to ceiling windows offering an expansive city view. The high ceilings with varying levels of soffiting, help to highlight the fiber optic strands imbedded there. When illuminated, the strands twinkle like stars just waiting to be wished upon. With the broad selection of games, toys, books, a multi-media center, computer system and whimsical furnishings, this is a room where children can play quietly or socialize with other children or family members. It is a place where a kid's imagination can take them anywhere.
Architect: Jim Plunkard, Hartshorne+Plunkard, Architects
Name Donors: Marlee Anne Kalmin Foundation.
Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago, IL
On July 7th 2001, pop-idol Britney Spears made her premier appearance for the Starlight Children's Foundation at a new Starlight Site that bears her name. Located at Shriners Hospital for Children on the west side of Chicago, this compass-inspired room has a beautiful rose compass detailed carpet, neon lighting and a domed ceiling enhanced by a daytime sky mural.
Featured in its décor are a saltwater aquarium that can be viewed from inside and outside the room, ultrasuede furnishings, a coppertop table for games and activities and a pool table. In addition there is a large screen TV, a computer with flat panel monitor and internet accessibility, interactive game systems and a cooking area where the teens can engage in therapeutic cooking activities.
Architect: Jim Plunkard, Hartshorne+Plunkard, Architects
Muralist: Cindy Simes, Simes Studios
Name Donors: Mr. & Mrs. Lou Weisbach, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Friedman and The Britney Spears Foundation
Mountain Peak - Children's Memorial Hospital
The Starlight Room at Children's Memorial Hospital is a part of the unit for transplantation patients. The Room is multi-faceted to meet the needs of the entire family patients, parents and siblings. These patients have an average length of stay upwards of 30 days.
Drywall structures within the room have been designed to replicate a cave with its mountainous outcroppings creating secluded and safe areas for very young children to explore on the floor and teens to have a private space to call their own. This room's unique lighting creates a soothing and tranquil environment.
With a full wall of windows showing the majestic Chicago skyline, offset by a cloud-like soffit with neon lighting depicting a setting sun, the view from the room is breathtaking. Other interesting aspects of this room include an area for family time with TV, VCR, computer, interactive games and an area for more structured play activities. This room also showcases a one-of-a kind-water sculpture and trout tank. The creme de la creme is the full-room mural depicting mountain slopes and the beauty of nature.
Architect: Jim Plunkard, Hartshorne+Plunkard, Architects
Muralist: Cindy Simes, Simes Studios
Name Donors: Mr & Mrs. Steven Friedman & Mr. & Mrs. Lou Weisbach
Pinball - University of Chicago's Children's Hospital
The Starlight Site at UCCH is a Teen Lounge that is open to 11 to 18 year olds. This multi-media room has a "pinball theme with design elements that " move the patient through the various area of the room. The lounge contains a study area with computers and reference materials courtesy of britannica.com , a quite area for "hanging out with friends in comfy furnishings, an activities area, the requisite TV, VCR, CD juke box and interactive game systems, and of course several pinball machines.
The pinball theme is integrated into the design of the room in unique and sometimes whimsical ways. The rich, vibrant colors, unique lighting and lush furnishings coalesce into a luxurious and soothing sanctuary.
Architect: Jim Plunkard, Hartshorne & Plunkard, Ltd.
Name Donor: Don Yannias (In Memory of Peter J. Karabas)
Park Starlight - UIC Medical Center
The children in this room are made to feel as if they have left the constraints of the hospital environment for the playful opportunities of the outdoors. The East wall recreates the edge of a town, with buildings which house certain functions such as a computer station, reading nook/library and dramatic play area.
This wall is opposed by the serenity and freedom of nature on the West wall. An undulating rock wall offers a playful climbing area with level changes and cozy cubbies. The vastness of the outdoors is depicted both in the three-walled mural as well as the expansive ceiling. Between the "town and" country edges is an open activity area that offers flexibility for a variety of play activities.
Architect: Jim Plunkard, Hartshorne+Plunkard, Ltd.
Muralist: Simes Studios
Name Donor: Mr. & Mrs. Lou Weisbach (In memory of Toby Goldstein Cohen)
Click to view these Toys "R" Us Children's Fund Starlight Sites:
If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a Starlight Site, e-mail info@starlightmidwest.org.
| 